Nature of Delaware Blog

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Clean Water Act places Delaware’s abundant and beautiful wetlands in peril. The state should create its own protections. Is it possible? Wetlands in Danger Wetlands cover about a quarter of Delaware’s surface area, but a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling will leave roughly 30,000 acres of these…

The mighty American Shad once nearly disappeared from the historic Brandywine River. Thanks to a project to provide passage past 11 dams, they are coming back. As “America’s Founding Fish,” the shad has a storied and fascinating history that is part of the very fabric of the United States. Shad as a food source It…

One day in mid-July, DelNature member Kate McDonald was checking on the pawpaw trees she’d bought at the 2021 Fall Native Plant Sale when she discovered tiny caterpillars and eggs on the leaves. A quick Google search confirmed what she suspected – they were from the zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus), a native but uncommon butterfly…

This is an exciting time of year for nature-lovers, as monarch migration has started! The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of the world’s most iconic butterflies. First, its large size and orange and black wings make it instantly recognizable to adults and children alike. The only similar butterfly is the viceroy, which is smaller and…

This is an exciting time of year for nature-lovers, as monarch migration has started! The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of the world’s most iconic butterflies. First, its large size and orange and black wings make it instantly recognizable to adults and children alike. The only similar butterfly is the viceroy, which is smaller and…

By Joe Sebastiani, Director of Adult Engagement Raptor Photos by David Brown, Ashland Hawk Watcher The Ashland Hawk Watch is set to start up for the 17th fall in a row. September 1st is opening day of hawk watching season at Ashland Nature Center. Birders, raptor aficionados, and visitors to Ashland look forward to this…